Treating children with cerebral palsy and autism with acupuncture
Autism and cerebral palsy pose challenges for medical professionals in integrating children into the community. Recently, doctors at the Central Acupuncture Hospital have combined acupuncture with modern medicine and education in treating children, with initial positive results.
The information was given at a workshop on acupuncture, treatment and special care for children with autism and cerebral palsy held at the Central Acupuncture Hospital (Hanoi) on May 29.
Associate Professor Nghiem Huu Thanh, Director of the Central Acupuncture Hospital, said that in reality, the treatment of children with cerebral palsy and autism is facing many difficulties. According to statistics from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam has about 5-7% of disabled children, of which children with autism and cerebral palsy account for over 40%. The Pediatrics Department of the Acupuncture Hospital also has over 3,000 children with autism and cerebral palsy coming for treatment each year.
A 2.5 year old child is receiving acupuncture to treat cerebral palsy. Photo: PN
In order for these children to be able to integrate into the community, long-term treatment is required. Meanwhile, the number of newly diagnosed children is increasing, so treatment facilities for children with autism and cerebral palsy are overloaded. Children are treated and rehabilitated in cramped environments, some children only receive rehabilitation training 1-2 sessions per week, even in the evening... Meanwhile, if they are not treated or are not treated according to the correct regimen, children can become disabled, unable to study, and unable to take care of themselves in daily activities, Associate Professor Thanh said.
Associate Professor Thanh said that the hospital has built a standard model combining acupuncture-traditional medicine with modern medicine, combining medicine and education in treating children with cerebral palsy and autism.
In 2009, the Pediatrics Department here treated 1,308 children with cerebral palsy, of which 237 were completely cured (about 18%). By 2011, the complete cure rate had increased to 21%. Children were considered completely cured when they could walk, talk, go to school, and integrate normally.
For autistic children, through monitoring and treatment of 76 children from 2008 to 2011, doctors found that acupuncture was effective in reducing the severity of major clinical signs of social interaction skills, language and abnormal behaviors. For example, the rate of children playing alone decreased from 89.4% to 53.9%, strange behavior decreased from 86.8% to 50%, not knowing how to point to body parts from 89.5% to 40.8%...
The Central Acupuncture Hospital has established a special acupuncture, treatment and care unit dedicated to children with autism and cerebral palsy.
Doctor Nguyen Quoc Van, in charge of this special care unit, said that currently there are many children diagnosed with autism, but in fact many of these children are not autistic but have cerebral palsy. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder, related to genetic disorders. Meanwhile, the cause of cerebral palsy in children can be due to the mother having the flu, diabetes during pregnancy... or the mother having a stroke during labor, the child may suffocate. In addition, cerebral palsy is also a complication of encephalitis, meningitis, cerebral hemorrhage... Therefore, when arriving at the hospital, children will be diagnosed to classify these two diseases for appropriate treatment.
Cerebral palsy treatment lasts from 25 to 30 days. Children can be treated many times a year using traditional medicine methods such as acupressure massage, exercise for children and medication. The break between sessions is 3-4 weeks. For autism treatment, methods such as electroacupuncture, hydroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, medication, etc. are used. Children receive acupuncture for 30-40 days each session, 3-5 sessions a year, and continuous treatment for many years.
Vnexpress.net – vp
